A Different Kind Of Case Study
“Using storytelling in your case studies is more effective than simply presenting facts and data, and it’s a great way to make your case studies stand out.”
Here’s the deal… I did things backward. I was a self-taught graphic designer for many years. I completed many online courses through LinkedIn Learning, YouTube, and Skillshare. I attended hundreds of networking meetings around Austin, TX, and convinced small business owners to take a chance on me for their branding and marketing collateral. I messed up - a lot. I look at my early work, cringe, and quickly look away. (I mean, don’t all designers?) It’s hard to believe some of those designs still exist in the wild.
But over time, my skills improved - all of my skills. Yes, I became a better graphic designer, but I also improved my communication with other business owners. I became more efficient in designing and managing projects from the initial first contact to delivering the final project.
So, when I decided to return to school and earn a legitimate degree in Graphic Design, I already had years of design experience under my belt. Trust me, I checked my ego at the door, and I’m graduating next week with far sharper design chops than when I started 2.5 years ago. But those people skills are soft skills graphic design courses fail to teach. I can manage a project well because I have that fantastic thing called “life experience.”
Created in Figma, this case study exemplifies how I managed and directed a team of 11 people to complete a large project for the Austin Community College (ACC) Drama Department’s Makers & Methods Series. I used those people skills and years of experience to bring everyone together, stick to a schedule and deliver a final project the Drama Department is delighted to use starting in 2023. Success!
Sources:
https://www.gonarrative.com/blog/2021/11/9/how-to-create-an-effective-case-study
